Press Releases

COCERAL and Copa-Cogeca call for full 15 years glyphosate re-authorisation

Brussels 18thJuly 2017 - COCERAL and Copa-Cogeca sent a joint letter to Member States this week calling for the full 15 years re-authorisation of the herbicide active substance glyphosate in the EU after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) gave it a positive assessment. Here below the Press Release

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC call for coherence in EU strategy for enhancing soy production

Brussels, 14 July 2017 - COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC members rely on the EU production of oilseeds, soy and other oil- and protein-containing crops. We share the objective of an increased production of soy in Europe. According to the protein balance sheet developed by the European Commission, with input from COCERAL, FEDIOL, FEFAC and several other stakeholders, Europe produces already important amounts of protein, but there is a clear deficit of protein-rich crops and feed material.Here below the Press Release

EFISC and GTP merge as of 1 July 2017

Following several years of fruitful cooperation, the European Feed Ingredient Safety Certification Scheme (EFISC) and the COCERAL Good Trading Practice Code (GTP Code) Certification Scheme have decided to join forces thereby also making stronger use of synergies. As of 1st July 2017 GTP and EFISC certification schemes will operate jointly, under the new name “European Feed & Food Ingredients Safety Certification” Aisbl (EFISC-GTP).Here below the Press Release

Publication of the third update of the EU catalogue of feed materials

Brussels, 23 June 2017 - On behalf of 42 EU Associations of the EU feed chain, including suppliers of feed materials, traders, specialty feed & compound feed manufacturers and farmers, CEFS, Copa-Cogeca and FEFAC draw the attention of feed operators worldwide to the publication in the Official Journal of the EU of the third update of the EU Catalogue of feed materials (Regulation (EU) 2017/1017).Here below the press release.

COCERAL holding statement on the European Chemicals Agency opinion on glyphosate

COCERAL applauds the approval of CETA by the European Parliament

17 February 2017 – COCERAL congratulates the Members of the European Parliament for approving the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement – CETA, which will serve as a model for the EU’s future negotiations.Here below the press release.

COCERAL welcomes the adoption on Regulatory Technical Standards on Position Limits

COCERAL welcomes the outcome of the vote at the European Parliament, adopting the Regulatory Technical Standards for the application of position limits to commodity derivatives – RTS 21. Here below the press release.

Joint Statement signed by COCERAL and EU Associations | The EU must not change the comitology system

COCERAL and others 17 European Associations representing a wide number of economic sectors affected directly or indirectly by comitology rules, consider that science-based decisions must be central to comitology to allow for legal and regulatory certainty in the EU.Here below the Joint Statement.

COCERAL FEFAC and COPA & COGECA workshop hosted in European Parliament on 22 November 2016

In the International Year of Pulses, COCERAL together with FEFAC and Copa and Cogeca, hold workshop hosted by MEP Petri Sarvamaa to look at benefits of the EU pulses sector and of developing own protein crop supply

COCERAL and COPA & COGECA call for level playing field to ensure competitive supply of raw materials in the EU

COCERAL and COPA & COGECA organized a workshop in the European Parliament this week, hosted by MEPs G. La Via, D. Buda and N. Nicolai, to discuss the outlook, competitiveness and challenges of producing and supplying raw materials in the EU.

COCERAL Crop Forecast on Cereals and Oilseeds – September 2016 Update

COCERAL’s September estimate for the EU’s 2016 soft wheat crop stands at 134.0 mln t, which is significantly lower than the number of 148 ml t that has been released in the previous forecast published in June.

COCERAL regrets that many widely used crop protection products will be removed from the market because the Commission missed the opportunity to include any hazard characterisation element, as well as any consideration of exposure and socio-economic impacts in the draft definition of Endocrine Disruptors (EDs).

COCERAL, FEFAC and FEDIOL open letter to Commissioner Juncker

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC urged the President of the EU Commission, in an open letter, to move forward the authorisation procedure for the three GM soya bean products (Genetically Modified Soybeans MON87705 x MON89788, MON87708 x MON89788 and FG72).

COCERAL disappointed about no vote on Glyphosate

COCERAL regrets that there was no vote in the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) yesterday to renew authorization of the herbicide active substance glyphosate whose current authorisation ends on 30th June.

Ahead of the EU Standing Committee on Plants, animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) vote, COCERAL calls on the EU decision-makers and Members States to keep the herbicide active substance glyphosate on the EU market.

COCERAL STATEMENT on Plant Protection Products and Glyphosate

COCERAL calls on the EU decision-makers and Members of the EU Parliament to rigorously abide by science when considering the authorization or renewal of authorization of any Plant Protection Product (PPP).

Barbaros Corekoglu joins COCERAL

Barbaros Corekoglu joins COCERAL Secretariat in charge of the Market, Trade and Sustainability portfolio. Prior joining COCERAL, he gained extensive experience in the trade, energy and environmental policy areas working for the agri-business industry sector. Barbaros started his career at the European Commission – Directorate General for Trade and succeeds Gloria Gabellini who has been with COCERAL for the past six years.

COCERAL, EuropaBio and FEFAC holding statement on the European Ombudsman decision on GM authorisations

EuropaBio, COCERAL and FEFAC welcome the European Ombudsman’s decision on their complaint regarding the European Commission’s handling of authorisation applications for genetically modified (GM) food and feed for import and processing.

AFCC and BBI JU: EU Industry Calls for Innovation for Agriculture

Leading EU agriculture and food industries repeated their call for innovation to be considered at every stage of the legislative process. The 7th European Innovation Summit confirmed support for the ‘innovation principle’ to contribute to a sensible and science-based approach to policy making that can guarantee the long-term competitiveness of the EU agricultural sector.

COCERAL has been made aware of a questionable trade practice involving soybean meal imported in the EU market from Argentina. The feed material would be allegedly exported from Argentina under a custom heading and then imported into the EU under a different one with a significant competitive advantage on the market.

European Commission proposal rejected: Members of the European Parliament say no to the GMO opt-out proposal

The Plenary of the European Parliament rejected the Commission’s proposal which would grant Member States the right to ban the use of EU authorised genetically modified (GM) food or feed in their territories.

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC release their Economic Impact Assessment of the European GM “opt-out” proposal

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC are delighted to announce the release of their Economic Impact Assessment of the Commission’s Genetically Modified (GM) “opt-out” proposal. The study assesses the potential implications for the feed and livestock sector in four EU Member States potentially opting out from GM authorisation (i.e., France, Germany, Hungary and Poland).

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC welcome the rejection of the Parliament’s ENVI Committee of the Commission’s “opt-out” proposal

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC welcome the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee’s firm approach to reject the European Commission proposal to allow individual Member States to decide whether to permit or not the use of genetically modified food or feed and expect that the Plenary will exercise the same assertiveness in rejecting it.

COCERAL continue to have concerns on the ESMA draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS)

Gafta re-joins COCERAL - Grain trade speaking with one single voice in the EU

COCERAL and Gafta are delighted to announce that following COCERAL’s Board meeting on the 24th September 2015, Gafta’ s application to re-join COCERAL was accepted. This decision, that is subject to formal ratification at the COCERAL AGM in May next year, was prompted by Gafta’ s strategic review of its policy work.

COCERAL, COGECA AND UNISTOCK welcome adoption of EU Guide of Good Hygiene Practices

COCERAL together with UNISTOCK and COGECA welcomed the approval by the EU Commission and Member States of the European Guide of Good Hygiene Practices by COCERAL, COGECA, UNISTOCK for the collection, storage, trading and transport of cereals, oilseeds, protein crops, other plant products and derived products.

Agri-Food Coalition calls for policy support for innovation in the agri-food sector

The Agri-Food Chain Coalition (AFCC) presented its joint declaration entitled: “Food for Thought: a vision for unlocking the potential of agriculture and food industries in the EU ” to the Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan. The event took place on the first day of the Food & Drink Week at the Universal Expo in Milan with the aim of showcasing the importance of science and innovation in the EU agri-food sector.

The Agrifood chain Roundtable for Plant Protection hosted an event at the European Parliament on 23 June 2015 where they presented their concerns regarding the EU’s current approach to the shaping of European policy and legislation on plant protection products (PPP), and their impact along the agri-food chain.

COCERAL elects Jaana Kleinschmit as President

Jaana Kleinschmit, member of the management board of ADM Hamburg Aktiengesellschaft, General Manager of Germany GmbH and representing the German grain trade association (VdG - Verein der Getreidehändler der Hamburger Börse e.V.), was elected President of COCERAL by the General Assembly that met on 22nd of May in Antwerp. Succeeding Paul Della Tolla, Jaana will serve a two-year term until 2017.

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC condemn the European Commission College proposal for nationalization of GM crop imports for food and feed use as a slap in the face to the EU livestock sector and a rebuff to the Single Market

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC call on the EU Council and the European Parliament to block any political agreement on the Commission’s proposal which allows Member States to ban food and feed use of EU authorised GM crops.

EU Food and feed chain partners rejected the European Commissions’ latest proposal which attempts to renationalize EU market authorisations of genetically modified crops for feed and food use. The chain partners urge the EU Parliament and Council to reject the Commission’s proposal which amounts to renationalisation and would reverse the economic achievements of the European Customs Union and the Single Market.

COCERAL together with the Food and Feed Chain released a press statement urging European Commission President Juncker to reject any attempt to renationalize EU market authorisations of genetically modified crops for feed and food use. COCERAL is leading the Food and Feed Chain efforts to reject this initiative that threatens the EU Single Market and our entire sector.

EU missing GM import authorizations: a ticking bomb EU needs to unlock the GM authorizations system for imports to safeguard vital food and feed supply and preserve competitiveness of the EU livestock sector

COCERAL, FEFAC and FEDIOL urge the EU Commission to lift immediately the present “de-facto” moratorium on GM import authorizations for food, feed and technical uses to prevent further threats to the EU food security as well as to the economic sustainability of the food, feed and EU livestock sector.

COCERAL is critical over restrictive measures on wheat exports introduced by Russia and calls the EU institutions for action

The introduction of an export duty will now further limit the capacity to export wheat from Russia as from the 1st of February Russia is imposing an export duty of 15 per cent + 7.5 EUR/ton on wheat. COCERAL stands against these trade-distorting measures and calls the EU institutions for a firm action.

COCERAL publishes biannual mycotoxins report

COCERAL members pursue an active role in managing the risk of mycotoxins development. The results from the latest survey carried out among COCERAL members indicate that awareness of mycotoxin management has been increasing since the last report carried out in 2011.

Together with the EU food and feed chain, Copa-Cogeca urges EU commission not to delay authorisation of new varieties of genetically modified grain, otherwise livestock industry threatened

Copa-Cogeca, Coceral, Fediol, Fefac, Uecbv and A.v.e.c., urged the EU Barroso Commission today not to delay authorization of 8 new varieties of genetically modified grain for import, food and feed processing which have scientifically proved to be safe, to avoid a further threat to the EU food and feed supply and market balance, warning they are especially essential for the livestock industry.

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC call on the European Commission to urgently, by September 2014, take a Decision on the EU authorization of eight GM products for import, food and feed processing to avoid further threat to the EU supply of soybeans, maize, rapeseed and various protein-rich products derived thereof.

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC express serious disappointment about the European Commission’s lack of consideration for the consequences for the EU food and feed business operators of having further delayed the EU authorization of 8 GM products for import, food and feed processing. This postponement by the college of EU Commissioners leaves the EU food and feed business operators exposed to possible risk of disruptions of the vital imports of soybeans, maize and various protein-rich products derived thereof from the key exporting regions to the EU as well as serious legal uncertainty.

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC call on EU Commission to safeguard vital food and feed import to the EU

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC call on the European Commission to safeguard vital imports of soybeans, maize and various protein-rich products derived thereof from the key exporting regions to the EU. By unlocking urgently and by July 2014 the EU authorization of 8 GM products for import, food and feed processing the college of Commissioners will provide the necessary legal certainty to food and feed business operators.

COCERAL publishes its report on Storage Insecticides

COCERAL publishes its report on “Applied methods for insect management in stored grain and oilseeds”, showing that grain collectors and traders prefer mechanical methods over chemical treatment for managing insect during the storage phases.

Pascale Rouhier appointed Secretary General of CELCAA

Pascale Rouhier is the new Secretary General of CELCAA, the representative body for European Traders in agriculture commodities. Former Secretary General of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), Pascale has more than 10 years of experience of European associations’ management and is specialized in agriculture and trade policies.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership to be a comprehensive agreement addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers in agricultural trade

As the largest EU trading partner for agricultural products, COCERAL welcomes the upcoming EU-USA Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and looks forward to an agreement that will cover all aspects of trade and investment, leading to the removal of traditional tariff barriers and import quotas that currently cap the potential for transatlantic agricultural trade.

COCERAL, FEDIOL and ASSUC urge EU Member States to support the anti-fraud package on VAT and to conclude it latest by the end of the Irish Presidency

The size and magnitude of VAT fraud impedes fair competition and puts law abiding business operators at serious disadvantage against fraudsters. The quick reaction and the reverse charge mechanisms represent the timely structural solution to fight against VAT frauds in the agricultural commodities and finished products like bottled vegetable oils.

Paul Della Tolla appointed President of COCERAL

COCERAL has announced the election of Paul Della Tolla as President of COCERAL. Representative of SEEDYZ, the Greek cereals and grain trade association, and President of Dimitriaki SA in Greece, Paul succeeds Marcel Combot and will serve a two-year term till 2015.

COCERAL, FEDIOL and ASSUC strongly support the Anti-Fraud Package on VAT currently discussed at the EU level

The grain trading sector, the oilseeds crushers and the sugar trading sector suffer greatly from the unlawful competition of fraudsters cheating the basic VAT rules in a number of countries in the EU. The anti-fraud package on VAT proposed by the European Commission and the Irish Presidency would provide for a structural solution to this on-going problem, yet until now it has not found much needed support from the EU Council.

About-turn by EU Commission on biofuels policy set to decimate biofuels industry in the midst of the European economic crisis

The EU farmers and biofuels industries remains steadfastly opposed to the European Commission’s proposal which will have devastating impact on the biofuels industries and diversification of farmers’ revenues.

The EU biofuel industry, the sectors part of the value chain as well as the agricultural Community are shocked by the leaked draft proposal on how to address ILUC which indicates that the Commission is preparing for a complete u-turn on its biofuels policies. Without any proper assessment of the impact of the current policy the Commission prepares to sacrifice a thriving and functioning industry on the basis of inconclusive science and disproportionate environmental precaution.

Publication of the second update of the EU catalogue of feed materials

The EU Feed Chain draws the attention of feed operators worldwide to the publication in the Official Journal of the EU of the second update of the EU Catalogue of feed materials, whose most relevant change is the establishment of maximum contents for certain chemical impurities.

Minor Uses: Food and crop diversity under threat in Europe

COCERAL publishes Mycotoxins Survey

This report aims to show the results of a biannual survey carried out by COCERAL members. It will highlight which tools and actions are put in place to manage the risk of mycotoxins by agrosupply distributors and grain traders.

Rising grain prices: a suplly issue

COCERAL´s President highlights the current need to sustainably maximise the potentials of our farmland as well as the capabilities of freely moving grains from areas of surplus production to areas of deficit.

Minor Uses Conference of 7 November 2011

The conference recognised the vital need for EU consumers to have access to a wide range of agricultural and food products at an affordable price. It agreed as well that with EU food security and the competitiveness of the whole agri-food chain under threat, the reduction in active substances and available solutions which is foreseen cannot be ignored any longer.

COCERAL and FEDIOL welcome the recognition of seven Voluntary Schemes (Schemes) for biofuels sustainability certification by the European Commission. However they also urge the Commission to accelerate the technical evaluation and recognition of other Schemes to ensure the continued development of sustainable biofuel raw materials in a harmonised internal market.

COCERAL, FEDIOL, FEFAC: the entry into force of the “technical solution"

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC acknowledge the entry into force of the “technical solution” for minutes traces of GMOs not yet authorized in the EU that will avoid disruption in feed supplies by boosting legal certainty for animal feed imports into Europe. They also call for proactive steps by the European Commission and Member States to take toward a low level presence policy adopting a more comprehensive long-term strategy to managing GMOs in the commodity supply chain.

Marcel Combot appointed President of COCERAL

COCERAL has announced the election of Marcel COMBOT as President of COCERAL. Representative of the SYNACOMEX French cereals trade association and grain and oilseeds country lead at Cargill group in France, Marcel succeeds Margaretha Minser and will serve two-year term till 2013.

COCERAL warns Member States on the consequences of the delay for the adoption of a workable LLP technical solution

The Commission and Members States did not reach a consensus on the proposal for a technical solution for the low level presence of GM events not yet authorized in Europe. COCERAL Members share European farmers, food and feed processors' concern as regards the further delay in finding a workable solution that could endanger trade operations and impact seriously all the EU farm.

David Caffall appointed Chairman of the Agrosupply Section

COCERAL announces the appointment of Mr David Caffall as Chairman of the Agrosupply Section and as a member of COCERAL’s Presidium. He is also Executive of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), the leading trade body for the agricultural supply industry in the UK.

Julien TAIEB joins COCERAL

COCERAL announced the appointment of Mr. Julien TAIEB as new Senior Policy Advisor. He will focus on the tools developed by COCERAL along the chain for the implementation of the food and feed hygiene legislation and will dedicate time to the consolidation of the new GTP Code - Quality assurance scheme within the framework of the EFIP platform.

The EU Feed Chain welcomes the approval of the EU catalogue of feed materials

After 18 months of joint efforts between 39 EU organisations of the feed chain, CEFS, COPA-COGECA and FEFAC welcome the official approval of the updated Catalogue of feed materials that they submitted to the Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health.

COCERAL publishes Mycotoxins Survey: Synthesis Report 2009

COCERAL members act in the food and feed supply chain, both at the level of agrosupply distributors and grain traders. This report aims to highlight which tools and actions are put in place to prevent and control the risk of mycotoxins in the batches traded within European Member States by agrosupply distributors and grain traders.

COCERAL and COGECA welcome the adoption of the EU Guide on good hygiene practices for cereals, oilseeds, protein crops

COGECA and COCERAL welcomed the adoption by EU Commission and Member States of The European Good Hygiene Practices Guide for the collection, storage, trading and transport of cereals, oilseeds and protein crops (co-products included) destined for human as well as animal consumption. COCERAL and COGECA are also committed to keep updating the Guide so that it can evolve and be adapted to new food and feed safety requirements as well as to new risk-management methods, in collaboration with the food and feed chain partners and Member States.

New GTP code 2010 - work in progress

COCERAL is continuing working, together with a number of parties, on a new GTP-scheme for for collection, storage, collection, storage, trade and transport and transport to replace the current GTP with new rules of certification applicable as from 1st October 2010. A new website specifically dedicated to the new scheme, the relation with the Certification Bodies as well as a platform for discussion and exchange with the other scheme owners are planned to be enhanced and developed.